In November 1917, when he was 25 and a temporary lieutenant at Gonnelieu in France, he performed an act of heroism, the citation for which was published in the London Gazette in February 1918.

It stated that, while in command of a section, and “when the personnel of the battery was reduced to five by the fire of the artillery, machine guns, infantry and aeroplanes; had lost its commander and five of the sergeants, and was surrounded by enemy infantry on the front right flank, and finally in the rear, he maintained the fire of the guns by swinging the trails round close together, the men running and loading from gun to gun.

“He thereby not only covered other battery positions, but also partially assisted some small infantry detachments to maintain a position against great odds.

“He was in action for eight hours, firing the whole time, and inflicting severe casualties on the enemy. Then owing to the exhausted state of his personnel, he withdrew when infantry support arrived, taking with him the essential gun parts and all wounded men.

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Last Monday, a commemorative plaque was unveiled in his memory at Tynron war memorial at a ceremony attended by members of the soldier’s family, including his granddaughter.

Pipers at the Tynron memorial (Image: Dumfries and Galloway Standard)

That was followed by the unveiling of a commemorative paving stone at the Joseph Thomson Memorial Monument, in Thornhill, before a plaque was also unveiled at Moffat Town Hall as Samuel was buried in the cemetery there following his death on February 2, 1968.